Caucasus Crime Boss Murder Probe Sees Suspect Released After Two Weeks

One of the suspects in the assassination of Yanis Yushbayev, the head of the Caucasus crime family, was released from custody on Wednesday after two weeks of detention, i24NEWS has learned. The release comes as investigators continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the murder.

New details emerged last week suggesting a meeting took place at the "Agenda" restaurant in Caesarea shortly before Yushbayev was shot. Yushbayev reportedly left the meeting moments before the shooting, accompanied by an individual who is also a suspect and who allegedly fled the scene. One attendee confirmed their presence at the meeting to police.

This suspect claims they were summoned to the meeting due to a financial debt and denies any involvement in the assassination. Investigators are reportedly trying to understand the dynamics of the Caesarea meeting, which they suspect may have been a "red herring" designed to lower Yushbayev's guard, as he was known to have conflicts with numerous criminals.

Further developments in the investigation include the arrest of a main suspect by the Yamam counter-terrorism unit, who was reportedly found hiding with a knife in a storage facility. The main suspect has a criminal record including theft, drug offenses, and grenade-throwing. His brother was also arrested for allegedly aiding his escape.

All details of the ongoing investigation are currently under a gag order.